Spent bullets from firearms, fingerprints on doorknobs and strands of hair on a seat back are just some of the evidence left at crime scenes. Forensic crime scene investigators collect and analyze these clues and determine when, how and by whom a crime was committed. They can then help to balance the scales of justice.

Duties

The duties of forensic crime scene investigators, also known as forensic science technicians, depend on their location during the investigation process. At the crime scene, they gather and preserve physical evidence, and document their activities through sketches and photos. In the laboratory, they examine what they or other law enforcement personnel have gathered. Using chemical and physical analysis, they try to reconstruct what happened. They follow strict standards and procedures so their work can pass muster in courts of law, where they can be called to testify about their findings and methods.

Types

To obtain greater accuracy and glean better information from evidence, forensic crime scene investigators can choose to specialize in one or more areas. Firearms and toolmarks enable the matching of the marks on used bullets with the gun that produced them. Trace evidence focuses on microscopic samples of fibers, hair, paint, pollen and food. DNA testing matches deoxyribonucleic acid, sometimes several years old, with victims and suspects. And drugs, alcohol and toxicology testing allows substances such as powders, pills and liquids to be connected to poisons, illegal drugs or alcohol.

Qualifications

In rural police departments, a high school diploma may be sufficient, but in most cases, forensic crime scene investigators require a minimum bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a natural science, such as biology. Many enter the profession as sworn police officers who have learned their skills at police academies. Whatever their initial background, all investigators receive extensive training on the job as apprentices to more experienced employees. Training can last from six to 12 months for DNA analysis and up to three years for firearms analysis. Investigators must pass proficiency exams on each area of their expertise before they can work independently in that specialty and testify to it in court.

Salaries

As of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, salaries for forensic crime scene investigators may reach beyond $84,980 per year, or $40.86 per hour, or fall to under $32,760 yearly, or $15.75 hourly. The 12,560 professionals in the field averaged an annual $55,660, or $26.76 per hour. About 7,130 worked in local government to earn a mean $54,990 per year, or $26.44 per hour, and 4,130 were in state government, averaging an annual $54,550, or $26.23 hourly. The best wages went to the 160 federal workers who earned a mean $95,240 per year, or $45.79 per hour.

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.